Foundation Support for Grave Markers

ABSTRACT

A foundation support for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like includes a base member made of a cellular confinement system and having an opening therein; and a vase insert mounted to the base member within the opening. The vase insert can be permanently or removably mounted to the base member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/906,547, filed on Jun. 19, 2020, which takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/931,520, filed Nov. 6, 2019, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cemetery markers and, in particular, to a foundation support for stabilizing headstones, grave markers, monuments, and the like, to prevent sinking or shifting of a grave marker.

BACKGROUND

A common problem with grave markers is that, being constructed of heavy material such as stone, marble, granite or concrete, the heavy weight of the marker may cause the soil under the marker to settle, shift, or sink below the ground surface. Such sinking is commonly due to exceeding the weight bearing capacity of the underlying soils, and/or environmental factors, such as rain, natural erosion, drought conditions and so forth. The headstone or grave marker may lean forward or back, or sink on one end or the other, or both, destabilizing the monument, possibly obscuring the engraved indicia on the marker, and affecting the uniform appearance in the cemetery.

Additionally, when family or friends visit a loved one's grave, it is often customary to leave flowers, plants or other remembrances in a container or vase which may be affixed to the headstone. If the headstone marker is not level, oftentimes the vase affixed to the headstone marker will also have changed position.

It is the responsibility of cemetery maintenance personnel to maintain the grounds of the cemetery to keep the appearance appealing and uniform for the benefit of families and visitors to the cemetery. When a headstone or grave marker has shifted or sunk into the soil, it leaves the marker in an uneven position, which may obscure the information on the grave marker, and may create difficulty for maintenance personnel in attempting to restore the grave marker back to its original position, affecting the aesthetic appearance of the cemetery.

Having a foundation support installed underground beneath the marker provides greater load distribution between the heavy marker and the soil underneath it, thereby increasing the support of the marker once it is set over a gravesite so as to reduce the settling or movement of the marker, be it shifting or sinking, which allows for a more uniform appearance in the cemetery and decreases the need for future maintenance and replacement of the grave marker.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,363 discloses an apparatus for stabilizing a headstone. The apparatus employs a rigid perforated member that includes at least one anchor extending away from the perforated member to be driven into the ground. The perforated member is placed over the headstone with the headstone extending through a headstone aperture.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,340 discloses a mat for stabilizing particulate materials using upstanding cylindrical tubular members disposed on a grid in a rectangular array.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,201 discloses a structure for supporting stone-like objects on soil. The stone-like object may be a headstone.

What is lacking in the industry is a device capable of supporting a headstone in a proper position with an optional provision for maintaining a vase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foundation support for grave markers according to a first illustrative embodiment; the support including a removable blank insert member attached to the base member;

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front side view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a back side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foundation support for grave marker from FIG. 1; the support including a removable vase insert member attached to the base member;

FIG. 8 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front side view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a rear side view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the removable blank insert member from FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the removable vase insert from FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the base member without the insert or vase member attached;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a foundation support for grave markers according to a second illustrative embodiment; the support including a removable vase insert member attached to the base member;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the foundation support from FIG. 16, showing the vase insert detached;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a foundation support for grave markers according to a third illustrative embodiment; the support including a fixed vase insert member as part of the base member;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view illustrating the stacking of a plurality of foundation supports from FIG. 19; and

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a method for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like using the foundation support of FIG. 16 or 19.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a support device for use in stabilizing grave markers, headstones or the likes. Grave markers are customarily made of stone, marble, granite, concrete, or other heavyweight material and can weigh thousands of pounds. When the marker is placed over a grave, if there is no support under the marker, there may be occasions when the marker may change its position by shifting or sinking due to settlement (compression of the underlying soils), soil erosion, rain, drought, or other landscape particularities. If a grave marker moves from its original level position, it is difficult to return the marker to its original position due to the weight of the marker.

An object of illustrative embodiments is to provide a perpetual aesthetically appealing appearance to a grave marker or headstone by utilizing a support device underground, underneath the headstone, at the time of installation, to reduce the opportunity for sinking or shifting of the headstone due to weather and/or soil conditions.

Another object of illustrative embodiment is for use in re-installing and re-leveling existing headstones or markers that have shifted due to settlement, soil erosion, or other factors.

Still another object is to provide a recessed insert within the support device into which a vase or planter can be placed and anchored which prevents sinking or shifting of the vase or planter, along with the marker.

According to illustrative embodiments, there is provided a foundation support for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like comprising:

a rigid base member having a length defined between a first end wall and a second end wall, a width defined between a first side wall and a second side wall, and a depth measured between an upper edge and a lower edge of said end walls and said side walls;

a grid of first shaped members integrally formed between said first and second end wall and said first and second side wall, each said first member being defined by a plurality of secondary side walls extending between said upper edge and said lower edge; the grid including an opening therein; and

an insert member removably secured to said base member in the opening.

According to other illustrative embodiments, there is provided a foundation support for stabilizing a headstone, grave

marker, monument or the like comprising:

a base member made of a cellular confinement system; the base member having an opening therein; and

a vase insert mounted to the base member within the opening.

According to still other illustrative embodiments, there is provided a method for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like comprising:

providing a base member with a plurality of apertures, the base member having a length defined between a first end wall and a second end wall, a width defined between a first side wall and a second side wall, and a depth measured between an upper edge and a lower edge of said end walls and said side walls, said base having an opening therein;

positioning said upper edge of said base member at ground level;

filling said plurality of apertures with earth material;

evacuating earth material from the opening up to a distance thereunder;

attaching a vase insert member to the base member in the opening;

wherein said vase insert member is constructed and arranged to receive a temporary memorial such as a plant;

placing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like on said base member, said base member constructed and arranged to distribute the weight placed thereon.

According to yet another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a method for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like on a ground, the method comprising:

providing a foundation support including a base member made of a cellular confinement system having a plurality of apertures and an opening therein, and a vase insert mounted to the base member within the opening;

evacuating earth material at a selected position in the ground that is expected for the vase insert, so as to yield a hole in the ground;

positioning said upper edge of said base member at ground level with the vase insert in the selected position in the ground;

filling the plurality of apertures with earth material; and

placing the headstone, grave marker, monument or the like on the base member; the base member being constructed and arranged to distribute the weight placed thereon.

Other objects, advantages and features of the foundation support for grave markers will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of illustrated embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure. Herein, it shall further be noted that, for avoiding unnecessary details obscuring the illustrative embodiments, only device structures and/or processing steps closely relevant to schemes according to the illustrative embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings while omitting other details less relevant to the illustrative embodiments.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more” or “at least one.” The term “about” means, in general, the stated value plus or minus 5%. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements, possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features, possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

A first illustrative embodiment of a foundation support 2 for installation underneath a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like (not shown) will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. For ease of explanation, the terms headstone, grave marker and monument may be used interchangeably herein.

The foundation support 2 comprises, a base member 10, having a rectangular opening 4 therein (see in FIG. 15), a removable blank insert 16 and a removable vase insert 56, both for selectively mounting to the base member 10 into the rectangular opening 4.

According to the first illustrative embodiment, the base member 10 is generally rectangular and is formed of recycled plastic, another polymeric material or other like material that is sufficiently rigid to resist deformation or collapse of the base member 10, such as metal, fiberglass, or the likes.

The base member 10 is in the form of a cellular confinement structure, also known in the art as geocell, defined by a plurality of diamond shaped members 14 uniformly spaced between hexagonal members 12 formed between a first end wall 50 and a second end wall 52, a first sidewall 46 and a second sidewall 48, and an upper edge 21 and a lower edge 23.

The base member 10 further includes intersecting cross members 42 that are provided to reinforce the hexagonal members 12 to resist vertical compression, thereby maintaining the base member 10 in a level position. The number, size and position of the cross members 42 may be different than illustrated.

The rectangular opening 4 is longitudinally centered within the base member 10 and laterally shifted towards the second sidewall 48. The longitudinal centering is mainly for aesthetic reasons. According to another illustrative embodiment, the opening is longitudinally shifted towards one of the first and second end walls 50 and 52.

The opening 4 is shifted towards the second sidewall 48 to yield on the other side a surface sufficiently large to receive a grave marker (not shown).

It is to be noted that the dimensions shown on the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and both the dimension and the geometry of the base member 10 may be different than illustrated.

With reference more specifically to FIG. 13, a removable blank insert member 16 is provided to complement the opening 4, for example when the vase insert 56 is not used. Like the base member 10, the insert member 16 has a plurality of complete or partial diamond shaped members 12, uniformly spaced between hexagonal members 14 formed between outer surface wall 26, 28, 30 and 32. The thickness of the insert 16 is similar to the thickness of the base member 10.

While the blank insert member 16 is shown as having a grid pattern that is complementary to the grid pattern of the base member 10, it can alternatively have a non-complimenting pattern.

The blank insert member 16 has four locking tabs 18, 20, 22 and 24 extending outwardly from respective outer surface wall 26, 28, 30 and 32. The locking tabs 18-24 define male connector elements that are configured for removable insertion into vertical openings 34, 36, 38 and 40 that are provided within the peripheral wall 41 that defines the opening 4 (see FIG. 15). The tabs 18-24 are configured to cooperate with the openings 34-40 to frictionally lock the insert member 16 into place within the opening 4. More specifically, the tabs 18, 20, 22, and 24 include spacers 33, 35, 37 and 39 respectively, that slide into the vertical openings 34, 36, 38 and 40 respectively, for securement.

According to the first illustrative embodiment, the insert member 16 is about 6.5 inches long (about 16.5 cm), about 6 inches wide (about 15 cm) and about 2.5 inches deep (about 6.4 cm).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the front side 46 and rear side 48, respectively, of the base member 10. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the left side 50 and right side 52, respectively, of the base member 10. According to the first illustrative embodiment, the base member 10 has a width of about 18 inches W wide (about 46 cm) and a length of about 28 inches L (about 71 cm). According to another embodiment (not shown), its dimensions are about 18 inches wide W (about 46 cm) and about 48 inches long (about 122 cm), or about 18 inches wide W (about 46 cm) and about 62 inches long L (about 157 cm). According to the first illustrative embodiment, the base member 10 is about 2.5 inches deep D1 (about 6.4 cm).

As can be seen in FIGS. 7-12, the blank insert member 16 can be replaced with a vase insert member 56.

With reference now to FIG. 14, the vase insert member 56 has four tabs 58, 60, 62 and 64 that extend outwardly from respective outer walls 66, 68, 70 and 72 thereof. As illustrated hereinabove with reference to the blank insert 16, the tabs 58-64 of the vase insert member 56 are configured for complementary insertion into vertical openings 34, 36, 38 and 40 so as to frictionally lock the vase insert member 56 into the opening 4 of the base member 10.

The vase insert member 56 is about 6.5 inches long (about 16.5 cm), about 6 inches wide (about 15.2 cm) and about 8.5 inches deep (about 21.6 cm). Tab spacers 74, 76, 78 and 80 slide into the vertical openings 34, 36, 38 and 40 respectively for securement of the vase insert member 56 to the base member 10.

It is to be noted that the tolerances between the tabs, tab spacers, vertical openings and wall members are constructed and arranged to securely fasten the blank insert member 16 or vase insert member 56 to the base member 10. However, as the material is non-corroding the insert member and vase member may be removed and replaced without special tools.

The bottom surface 82 of the vase insert member 56 has a plurality of perforation holes 84 to allow for water to seep into the vase insert member 56 to provide both drainage out of the vase insert and moisture from the soil underneath for flowers or plants which may be placed in the vase insert member 56.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the front side 86 and the rear side 88 respectively of the headstone base member 10 with the vase insert member 56 installed. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the left side 90 and the right side 92, respectively, of the headstone base member 10 with the vase insert member 56 installed. According to the first illustrative embodiment, the base member 10 is about 2.5 inches deep D1 (about 6.4 cm) and the vase insert member 56 extends about 6 inches D2 (about 15 cm) beneath the base member. The vase insert 56 is however not limited to such dimensions.

FIG. 15 illustrates the base member 10 without the blank insert member 16 or vase insert member 56 to better show the vertical walls 34, 36, 38 and 40 of opening 4.

The method for stabilizing the headstone, grave marker, monument or the like comprises the steps of:

-   -   forming a base member with a plurality of apertures having a         length defined between a first end wall and a second end wall, a         width defined between a first side wall and a second side wall,         and a depth measured between an upper edge and a lower edge of         said end walls and said side walls, said rigid base including an         opening therein;     -   positioning the upper edge of the base member at ground level;     -   filling the plurality of apertures with earth material; and     -   placing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like on the         base member; the base member being constructed and arranged to         distribute the weight placed thereon.

The method further includes the step of:

-   -   evacuating earth material from the opening up to a distance         thereunder, the distance being sufficient to receive the vase         insert therein;     -   attaching a vase insert member to the base member in the         opening;

wherein said vase insert member is constructed and arranged to receive a temporary memorial such as a plant.

A foundation support 100 for installation underneath a headstone, grave marker, monument, or the like (not shown) according to a second illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference first to FIGS. 16-18. Since the foundation support 100 is similar to the foundation support 2, only the differences therebetween will be described herein for concision purposes.

The foundation support 100 comprises, a base member 101, a rectangular opening 102, and a vase insert 104 that is removably mounted to the base member 101 into the rectangular opening 102.

The rectangular opening 102 is more elongated than the opening 4 of the foundation support 2 and has rounder corners 106. The peripheral wall 108 defining the opening 102 within the base member 101 is provided with female connector portions in the form of two slots 110 in the middle of the two longer sides 112 thereof. As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, these slots 110 are provided to receive corresponding connector elements 114 on the vase insert 104. To ease the insertion of the elements 114 therein, the slots 110 are wider at their opening. According to another illustrative embodiment, the slots 110 have another configuration.

The base member 101 is in the form of a geocell-type grid formed by a series of interconnected i) regular rectangular members 116, 118 and 120, ii) elongated rectangular members 122 having their opposite shorter sides 124 concave and being assembled to define two adjacent crosses on each lateral sides of the opening 102, and iii) rectangular members 126, 128 and 130 having one or more of their sides that are convex.

The base member 101 further includes intersecting cross members 132 that are provided to reinforce the regular rectangular members 116, 118 and 120.

The base member 101 includes two lateral sides 134 and 136 and two longitudinal sides 138 and 140. The lateral side 134 includes male connector portions in the form of tabs 142, while the opposite lateral side 136 includes female connector portions in the form of slots 144 that allows complementary receiving the male connector portions 142 of another foundation support 100, thereby allowing the interconnection of two or more foundation supports 100 side by side. The lateral side 136 further includes biasing members 146 that push onto the lateral side 134 of another adjacent foundation support 100 thus attached, so as to add tension and therefore strength to the connector portions 142 and 144.

The vase insert 104 is more elongated than the vase support 56 and has a peripheral wall 148 that is tapered towards the bottom 150 thereof. The peripheral wall 148 extends downwardly from a peripheral flange 152.

The connector elements 114 extend outwardly from the flange 152 on opposite sides 156 and 158 thereof. Each of the connector elements 114 includes a narrow bridge portion 160, extending from the flange 152 and that is configured for insertion in the slot 110 in a snugly fit manner, and a tab portion 162 extending from the bridge portion 160 on a side thereof opposite the flange 152. The tab portion 162 is tapered towards the bottom 150 so as to facilitate the insertion of the connector element 114 in the slot 110 while pushing onto the peripheral wall 108 around the opening 102 after the insertion, yielding a tight attachment of the vase insert 104 to the base member 101.

According to another illustrative embodiment, the number and/or position of the connector elements 114 and corresponding slots 110 are different than illustrated.

A foundation support 170 according to a third illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference first to FIGS. 19-21. Since the foundation support 170 is similar to the foundation support 100, only the differences therebetween will be described herein for concision purposes.

The foundation support 170 comprises a base member 172, and a vase recipient 174 similar to the vase insert 104, with a main difference that the vase recipient 174 is permanently attached to the base member 172. Of course, compared to the vase insert 104, the vase recipient 174 does not include connector elements 114 and the base member 172 does not include any corresponding receiving slots 110.

As can be seen in FIG. 21, the vase recipient 174 being tapered, it allows receiving therein another similar vase recipient 174 from another support 170. It results a plurality of foundation supports 170 can be stacked easily and with stability, for example during their transport or storing. This is also true for the support 100 and vase insert 104.

A method 200 for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like using the foundation support 100 or 170 is shown in FIG. 22 and comprises the following:

-   -   providing a foundation support including a base member made of a         cellular confinement system having a plurality of apertures and         an opening therein, and a vase insert mounted to the base member         within the opening;     -   evacuating earth material at a selected position in a ground         that is expected for the vase insert, so as to yield a hole in         the ground;     -   positioning said upper edge of said base member at or near         ground level with the vase insert in the selected position in         the ground;     -   filling said plurality of apertures with earth material; and     -   placing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like on the         base member; the base member being constructed and arranged to         distribute the weight placed thereon.

While the opening 102 and vase insert member 104 are illustrated as being rectangular, they can have other configurations.

Although a foundation support 100 for installation underneath a headstone, grave marker, monument, or the like has been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, it can be modified. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative embodiments but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foundation support for stabilizing a headstone, grave marker, monument or the like comprising: a base member made of a cellular confinement system; the base member having an opening therein; and a vase insert mounted to the base member within the opening.
 2. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the vase insert is integrally secured to the base member.
 3. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the vase insert is removably secured to the base member.
 4. The foundation support of claim 3, wherein the base member includes first connector portions and the vase insert includes second connector portions that are configured to cooperate with the first connector portions for removably securing the vase insert member to the base member.
 5. The foundation support of claim 4, wherein the first connector portions are female connector portions, and the second connector portions are male connector portion.
 6. The foundation support of claim 5, wherein each of the female connector portions include a slot and each of the male connector portions include a bridge portion that is configured for insertion in a respective one of the slots and a tab portion extending from the bridge portion.
 7. The foundation support of claim 6, wherein the tab has a tapered portion.
 8. The foundation support of claim 1, further comprising a blank insert for selectively and removably mounting to the base member within the opening when the vase insert is detached from the base member.
 9. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the vase insert is configured for complementary insertion in the opening.
 10. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the opening and vase insert member are both rectangular in shape.
 11. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the base member is substantially rectangular.
 12. The foundation support of claim 11, wherein the base member has two shorter sides and two longer sides; the opening in the base member being longitudinally centered and laterally shifted towards one of the longer sides.
 13. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the base member is made of a polymeric material.
 14. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the cellular confinement system includes apertures therein that have a shape selected from the group consisting of i) regular rectangular members, ii) rectangular members having opposite shorter sides that are concave, iii) rectangular members having one or more of their sides that are convex.
 15. The foundation support of claim 14, wherein some of the apertures of the cellular confinement system include cross members therein.
 16. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the vase insert has a peripheral wall and a bottom secured to the peripheral wall; the peripheral wall being tapered towards the bottom.
 17. The foundation support of claim 1, wherein the base member includes first and second opposite sides; the first side including at least one male connector portion and the second side including at least one female connector portion that is configured for complementary receiving the at least one male connector portion of another foundation support, thereby allowing the interconnection side by side of two foundation supports.
 18. The foundation support of claim 17, wherein one of the first and second lateral sides includes at least one biasing member to push onto the other one of the first and second lateral sides of said another adjacent foundation support, thereby adding tension and strength between the male and female connector portions.
 19. The foundation support of claim 17, wherein the male connector portions include tabs and the female connector portions include slots. 